Page 17 - NYPCG - KAAKBAY 2018 July to December

17July to December
2018

Filipino Christmas, A Big Hit in New York prayer and praise, " he added.

Tourism Attaché Susana Del Mundo is hopeful that
the "Feel Pinas" project will further bolster tourism in the
Philippines as thousands see the beauty of our country and
the richness of our culture and traditions.

The large window of the Philippine Center in New York showcases the nativity
scene with Filipino touch. (photo by NYPCG)

Christmas celebration the Filipino way is in full swing (Top photo) The lobby of the Philippine Center is adorned with lanterns from
in New York as the lobby and glass windows of the Philippine Pampanga. (Bottom right) Two large capiz parols welcome guests to the
Center along the bustling Fifth Avenue in mid-town Manhattan Philippine Center. (Bottom left) Consul General Claro S. Cristobal (right)
showcase a colorful collection of traditional parols (Christmas welcomes guests to the first night of the Simbang Gabi coinciding with the Parol-
lanterns) and nativity scene. Thousands of New Yorkers and lighting and debut of the Feel Pinas window display. (Photos by NYPCG)
tourists pass by the Philippine Center everyday and admire the
colorful display that depicts the rich values and Christmas Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado,
traditions of the Philippines. Three Decades of Tradition for the
Filipino-American Community in New York
The project, dubbed as "Feel Pinas", is a joint
undertaking by the Philippine Consulate General, Department Consul General Claro S. Cristobal and Mrs. Marilou Cristobal
of Tourism-New York Office, and the Philippine Center (5th and 6th from L) joins Father Patrick Longalong (Center) and
Management Board. It brings together elements of Filipino the community leaders in the Tri-State area in the traditional
Christmas that make Filipinos feel at home and foreigners photo opportunity after the celebration of the Holy Mass.
want to visit the Philippines.
The Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado held at the
The launch of the "Feel Pinas" last 6 December 2018 Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center from 6 to 14
was highlighted by the debut of the nativity scene display by December 2018 continued to attract significant
the two glass windows of the Philippine Center facing Fifth attendance by Fil-Ams in the Tri-State area with the first
Avenue. The nativity scene is made of images and decors and the last night participants overflowing to the lobby.
from the Philippines and is complemented by the display from
large LED screens showing videos of lanterns and snippets of (Continue to page 18)
Filipino Christmas celebrations.

As guests enter the Center, they are welcomed by two
white lanterns made of capiz shells from Sorsogon. The lobby
is adorned with bright and colorful lanterns from Pampanga.
This year, the display is further enhanced by nine lanterns from
the Fil-Am community, each one symbolizing Filipino values or
virtue. One of the lanterns is lighted everyday starting from the
first night of the Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado last 6 December,
until all the lanterns are lighted on the last evening of the
traditional nine-day mass on 14 December.

Consul General Claro S. Cristobal said that it is
heartwarming that the Filipino-American community in New
York has preserved our Filipino Christmas traditions. "Our
sense of community, bolstered by faith, has given us the
inspiration to be here, despite the busy-ness of our holiday
schedules, to devote out time and resources in nine days of